Week in Review ~ 10/9

(On the way to the pediatrician. Evidently needing another sock.)

What a week! Somehow my unexpected time off last week did not prepare me for what was to come. Ned left Sunday with city council to attend and conference in Hampton and was gone until Tuesday. I'm used to doing bedtime alone with Ned's meetings and hobbies, but I enjoy a little help in the mornings to get us out the door by 6:45 am. We did just fine but were glad to see him Tuesday when we got home. I stayed up a little later than normal and then took awhile to fall asleep, so by Wednesday I was tired.

Avery's nose was a mess when I picked her up Thursday...never a good sign...and she hadn't napped well. I chalked it up to teething and kept all of our plans for a fun afternoon. We stopped at Kristin's on the way home and went for Emerson's first stroller ride. Avery didn't pay much attention to her boyfriend while we visited in the house and was very still and quiet. We made two laps around the block, and Avery was again unusually quiet for much of the trip. When I got her out of the stroller, her nose was horrendous. I was so embarrassed! Avery got sick 2 weeks ago after Ned and I visited the baby. Kristin probably thinks we're full of germs. Avery and I got a quick dinner and then went home to wait for the Whitleys (minus Blake) to visit. I babysat for them frequently in high school and college, and they hold a special place in my heart. Brooke, who is in the 9th grade and making me feel old, had a volleyball game close to our house. Avery was looking progressively worse, and when I took her temperature it was over 101 degrees. I warned them when they arrived, but they braved it anyway and we had a nice visit. They brought Avery If You Give a Pig a Party and the stuffed pig from the book. I know it will be a favorite one day. Avery went straight to bed after they left, and I called my principal to let her know that I wouldn't be at school Friday.

Avery cried several times in the night and was up around 6 am with a fever over 100 degrees. I drove 35 minutes to and from school to get everything ready for a sub. If it was a true emergency they would have to make due with my lesson plans, but because I'm anal and OCD I like to know I have everything laid out with lots of work for the students. Avery was in good spirits Friday but didn't nap long in the morning. Our doctor's appointment fell right in the middle of her afternoon nap so all she got was 30 minutes in the car. Friday afternoon is definately the time to go as no one was in the waiting room. Avery cried as soon as I laid her on the table and was in full screams as Dr. Applewhite examined her throat and ears. It's never good when you hear, "Whitney, can you lay across her legs?" as I'm already restraining her arms. She is STRONG and Dr. Applewhite didn't want damage done to her ears as she thrashed about. The diagnosis was an ear infection, typical after the viral throat issue she had 2 weeks ago. She calmed down enough for Dr. Applewhite and I to chat before we left. We were a few years apart at the same K-12 school. Oddly enough, Avery's weight had dropped from 21 lbs 11 oz in July to 20 lbs 8 oz. With the crying, it didn't dawn on my to ask about it then, but we go back in 2 weeks for her 15 month check-up. We may have to work on shrinking some of her 18 month clothes as this rate.

Saturday dawned a beautiful day, and Avery slept until 7 am. Ned was gone most of the day, so we did lots of playing and got outside to see her D (Dixie). After her afternoon nap we did our weekly shopping. Avery greeted EVERY person in the store with a "Hi" and a wave. A couple of them got a "Hi D" but didn't seem offended since they didn't know she was calling them a dog. It is a challenge keeping her appropriately occupied in the cart and another challenge getting the groceries in. Ned was still gone after dinner so we took a walk. The ducks were across the pond but we saw several kitties and waved at passing cars like we were in a parade. We also saw lots of birds, heard a goose, and heard several trains, all of her favorite things to point out these days.

Now she's in bed and Ned's at home. Our trip to Williamsburg next weekend will hopefully speed this week right along. Our adult-only trip will consist of sight-seeing, shopping, and eating in Colonial Williamsburg and also paying a visit to the outlets. I'm hoping to find big deals at Hanna Anderson, Gymboree, Carter's, and Stride Rite. Notice who all those stores are for? While we're away she'll be getting spoiled by Lolli and Poppa. Hopefully I'll remember what to do without a baby for the weekend!